Martin's Helping hand

When Miles wakes up next, the morning light blinds him. He sighs and sits up. Rubbing his face Miles feels something drop on his lap. Miles looks down and sees an arm. He follows it and sees Ezra snoozing away. Miles takes a minute to remember what had happened the day before.

While thinking on it, Miles wondered if it wasn't as much as he felt it was at the time. Sure most days he avoided people as much as he could. But all he did was meet someone and get possible help with his chickens.

Miles thought of what most of the people's lives would be like in town. They likely interacted with many people daily. To them it was nothing, yet to Miles, it felt like so much work.

Miles thought of his days above the clouds and in the sky with the stars, He interacted with so many. What changed? Miles chewed on that thought like a tough piece of meat.

Ezra stirs and pulls his arm off Miles's lap. He rubs his eyes and is slow to open them. He blinks and then yawns. Stretching he looks at Miles.

"Did you sleep well?" Miles asks.

The child nods.

"Good. Today we have to take care of the animals and ourselves," Miles pats the boy's head.

Miles thinks he sees the boy smile but he isn't sure.

Soon after the two get up for the day and eat breakfast.

When they make it out of the house they immediately start their daily routine. Betty accompanies them, even adding a few moos throughout.

About midday is when Miles freezes in his tracks. The sounds of voices emit from the woods. He watches and sees Seline and Martin walk out from between the trees.

"We got some work for you," Seline calls out.

A small wagon led by a donkey is close behind. Clucking and rustling flitter in the air.

Miles scratches at the back of his head, "I wasn't expecting this.. so soon."

Seline laughs, "Martin likes to do good work and he's quick to make it happen."

Martin chuckles, "It's the right thing to do, helping others."

Then the farmer started his work. The first thing Martin does is great Ezra. Then the man starts his work. Seline raises a brow for a short moment, "Who's your friend?"

Miles clears his throat, "Ezra."

The boy hearing his name trots over to Miles's side. He looks up at the older male and then at the lady doctor.

"This is... Seline and the other person is Martin, Miles introduces while gesturing to the two.

The boy looks at them for only a moment and then shrinks back behind Miles.

Seline chuckles, "A shy one isn't he?"

Miles shrugs, "I guess he is."

"How did you come across your friend?" Seline asks.

"He was in the barn sleeping," Miles answers while nibbling the inside of his lip.

"Oh?" She looks at where the boy was standing with interest.

Miles rubs the back of his neck and takes a sudden interest in the ground below.

"Miles was it?" Martin calls, "I could use some of your help if you don't mind."

Miles walks over to the Farmer and the two work on a new fence.

Ezra frowns at the loss of his shield.

Seline smiles at the boy, "Are you happy here?"

Ezra stares at her.

Emil exits the woods and makes his way to Seline. He takes her hand in his and looks at the boy from beside her.

"Emil, This is Ezra. Miles says he found him one day in his barn." Seline motions to the boy and the nearby barn.

Emil looks to the barn and then at the boy. Emil offers a small wave. Ezra only stares at the messy-haired young man. It doesn't take long for Ezra to walk away and watch what Miles is doing at a distance.

Seline watches the boy, "He's quieter than you."

Emil makes a humming sound and then nods.

"I have a feeling he isn't as shy as you are though." She squeezes Emil's hand.

Emil nibbles on his lip.

Miles and Martin work to set up a new fence all the while Martin explains why he is setting up the fence the way he is. He also explains what other things he is going to do to help Miles out. Miles nods in response almost the entire time. Miles listens, making a point to make eye contact and show that he is listening despite the nodding. At one point Miles notices that they are making a pen inside the fence and raises a brow at this. The only reaction he gets from Martin is that He'll find out later. Miles feels a twinge of frustration but continues without complaint. Once the two are done with the fence they move on to the chicken coop. Martin has pieces pulled out of the wagon and while he looks over them he tells Miles what goes where. Miles does his best to follow instructions. From Martin's lack of correction, Miles tells himself that he is doing good enough. By the time they finish constructing the new chicken coop the sun has started to descend in the darkening sky. Miles begins to yawn and takes a moment to go to Ezra.

"Do you think you could make sure everyone gets fed before it gets too dark?" Miles asks with a weak smile.

The boy is all too happy to hide away from the lady doctor and the messy-haired young man nods and runs off.

Miles watches the boy leave, but shortly after he returns to the work at hand. With the coop finished Miles and Martin gets some clean new nests in it. Food and water follow shortly after.

Miles gets the three chickens. He places them in the fence and the group watches the three wonder about the new setup. They first inspect the fencing. They don't spend long doing so. But they are reluctant to go near the coop. When they do the black and white chicken is the first to go in. She looks around and even leaves the coop a few times before finally deciding that the coop is good enough to sleep in. The other two follow in after.

"Remember I told you I would get you a few more chickens?" Martin asks.

Miles nods.

"I brought you four more hens and a rooster." Martin shows Miles to the wagon and shows him the chickens.

Miles looks over them, "You didn't have to."

"Don't worry about it. If you planning on doing a lot with them it would be good for you to have some more of them." Martin states.

"Thank you," Is all Miles can think of to be a good enough reaction.

"No problem, Now These chickens need to be apart for about two weeks. Makes sure you take time to give them all your attention daily if you can manage that. You want them familiar with you and for them to get to know each other." Martin explains.

"Understood," Miles replies as Martin begins to move the new chickens into the separated area of the fence.

"You'll want to keep an eye on them after the two weeks. You know in case they don't get along for whatever reason. If the fighting gets bad you want to break it up." Martin continues as he puts the box containing the chickens down.

With that Martin releases the new chickens into the pen within the fence. He sets up a small coop for these chickens and even puts out a couple of other things for the chickens to hide under.

Once finished martin stands tall and takes in a deep breath, "You do good work."

Miles tilts his head, "I only did as you told me."

"You listen well too. Still, your work is good," Martin laughs and pats miles back.

"Is it time to go?" Seline asks the farmer.

"I believe so. Unless Miles needs anything?" Martin looks back to the other male.

"No... I think I should be fine." Miles replies.

"You know how to find me if anything comes up. Don't be a stranger." Martin says with a wave.

"Bye Miles," Seline also waves with Emil behind her.

"Goodbye." Miles returns the waves and watches them leave.